The first ever Great Estate Festival at Scorrier House

Last weekend marked the first ever Great Estate Festival at Scorrier House, Cornwall. It was set to be a relaxed affair, similar to a garden fete (but way better), with live music, silent discos, a gin garden and even camel racing?! It was a totally family friendly festival with entertainment and food for all of the family.

Festival goers enjoying the food in the sun. Pic credit: Mike Searle

Festival organiser Ben Hall said: “It was an incredible feeling opening the gates to The Great Estate at weekend. It has been four years in the making but well worth the wait and Scorrier House proved to be the perfect location. When guests entered the grounds of the festival you could see their reaction, it was priceless. We can’t wait to get planning next year’s event and start conjuring up more magical happenings.”

As well as three main stages of live music there was workshops to participate in, for example yoga or foraging. There was also a silent disco located down a small path into the woodland. In a small clearing were people all dancing to different under the giant disco ball and moonlight.

Silent Woodland Disco. Pic credit: Lewis Harrison Pinder

The headliners for the event were Echo and the Bunnymen, Craig Charles Funk and Soul Show and Dr Meaker. However along with the main stages there was another, The Sanctuary Stage, which held workshops and music from the BBC Introducing artists. We loved how many local acts there were as well as the headlining acts – it is really important to showcase local talent and this festival definitely did this.

One thing we loved about the festival was how crazy it was! You could be stood listening to an act on the Madame Wong’s House of Wrong whilst somebody is having a tattoo done in the same tent! We also loved the Falmouth Shout group (a local group of Shanty singers) on the Sunday morning, they are such a different act to have at a music festival but it was great fun.

Another great part of the festival was the Sunday afternoon camel racing. The whole family could place bets on the camels and watch them race towards the finishing line. I’m not sure who had the idea, but it really was a great one! It was something that I have definitely not seen before and would love to see again, definitely a highlight.

Camel racing! Pic credit: Lewis Harrison Pinder

Overall we absolutely loved this festival, it was a great atmosphere and there were some really unique things to get up to all across the weekend, which really made the festival stand out from the crowd. We can’t wait to see what the future will bring for this festival.